Policy
Whereas, the City of Minneapolis, as an employer, recognizes that employees of the City are its most valuable resource; and
Whereas, the City recognizes its responsibility for the safety and occupational health of its employees, considers accident prevention an integral part of job performance and the quality of completed projects; and
Whereas, the City wants to assure, so far as possible, every employee safe, healthful working conditions and to preserve human resources; and
Whereas, the City of Minneapolis deems it in the best interest of the City and the citizens of Minneapolis that continued and expanded efforts be made to protect the lives and health of its employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Minneapolis:
That the City adopts the following Policy:
- The City will give Safety (loss control) primary importance in the planning and performance of all activities in order to protect employees against the hardships and suffering caused by accidents and occupational disorders.
- The City will obey all legal requirements imposed by federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations to protect against financial burden and reduced efficiency.
- Each employee of the City of Minneapolis has a safety responsibility which includes the safety and well being of himself/herself, fellow employees and members of the general public.
- To carry out this policy the City of Minneapolis shall:
- Maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
- Furnish, within reason, the best available safeguards and personal protective equipment where judged needed.
- Provide adequate first aid provisions.
- Maintain a continuous educational program in safe operating procedures.
- Maintain a continuous educational program on hazardous substances and harmful physical agents found in the workplace.
- Maintain an active and aggressive program of safety committees, where supervisory personnel participate in promoting safety awareness among employees.
- Insist that all of its employees observe established departmental safety regulations and practice, and use safety equipment provided.
- That the City Council shall abide by said policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Council authorizes the Risk Management Department to assist the departments of city government in the development and implementation of procedures and programs to:
- Comply with regulatory requirements.
- Minimize occupational injuries and illness.
- Assure a safe and healthy working environment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all City Departments, agencies and employees are directed to cooperate to the fullest extent with Risk Management in the implementation of this policy, and the development and implementation of procedures and programs to ensure its success.
Responsibility
Responsibility, authority and accountability are key elements of any successful management effort. Safety (loss control) can be successfully managed. Therefore, the following sections summarize but do not limit responsibility, authority and accountability of all levels of personnel.
A. City Council and Mayor
An effective loss control program begins with the total support and commitment of the City Council and the Mayor. Without it the loss control program will fail and the expected increase in morale, efficiency, and savings will not be fully realized.
Therefore, the City Council and Mayor:
- Commit and fully support all efforts to improve safety and the general working environment.
- Agree to appropriate funds necessary to maintain these efforts, when feasible.
- Authorize the Risk Management Department to establish accident prevention and employee safety & occupational health programs.
- Direct all city departments to cooperate to the fullest extent in such safety & health occupational programs.
B. Department Heads
Management is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of an effective loss control and accident prevention program. Every individual who supervises, directs, or controls the work of others is responsible for the safety of each individual under his/ her control, direction, or supervision. He/she is responsible for the safety of equipment and property within his/her area of responsibility.
Therefore safety records shall be measured along with other phases of all Department Head's performance. Accidents are indicative of wasteful, inefficient operations that result in human suffering and needless damage to property and equipment. Operationally, they lead to interference with work plans and to public complaints, dissatisfaction, and loss of good will, therefore, all managers shall make accident prevention a matter of prime concern and shall:
- Make communication of the Occupational Health and Safety Policy, and enforcement of safety rules as important as productivity.
- Be responsible for the establishment and fulfillment of departmental safety goals and objectives as well as health and welfare of each employee.
- Make accident prevention resources, (money, material, and personnel) available.
- Make accident prevention a high priority, high visibility effort in their own activities by attending safety meetings, conducting inspection tours and generally ensuring that all organizational levels understand their departments commitment to safety.
- Make safety progress evaluation by auditing their department's safety program to evaluate it's effectiveness and holding their supervisors responsible and accountable.
C. Department supervisors
Supervisors are responsible for thoroughly instructing their personnel in the safe practices to be observed in their work situation, enforcing safety & health standards, eliminating any potential hazards within the activities under their jurisdiction, and setting a good example. Safety records shall be measured along with other phases of all supervisors' performance.
Therefore supervisors shall:
- Develop and administer an effective program of good housekeeping and maintain high standards of personal and operational cleanliness throughout all operations.
- Conduct safety briefing at organizational meetings and encourage the use of employee safety suggestions.
- Provide employees with complete safety instructions regarding their duties prior to the employees' start of work.
- Conduct thorough investigations of all accidents and take necessary steps to prevent recurrence through employee safety education, operating procedures or modification of equipment.
- Conduct regular safety checks including a careful examination of all new and relocated equipment before it is placed in operation. Properly maintain equipment and issue instructions for the elimination of fire and safety hazards.
- Conduct job safety analyses for all positions within their direct scope of supervision.
- Implement appropriate discipline for safety violations.
- Provide safety equipment and protective devices for each job based on knowledge of applicable standards or on recommendations of Risk Management.
D. First line supervisor
First line supervisors are the most essential element of any safety effort because they have an opportunity to observe and teach the proper methods of job performance on a daily basis.
Therefore, first-line supervisors shall:
- Be responsible for all City Personnel and non-Employee safety on the job site.
- Give full support to all safety procedures, activities and programs.
- Enforce all safety regulations; violations will not be tolerated.
- Provide training for all new employees and experienced employees on an on-going basis.
- Observe work practices to determine and introduce safer and more efficient methods.
- Inspect work areas continuously for unsafe practices and conditions and promptly undertake any necessary corrective action.
- Conduct job safety analyses for all positions within their direct scope of supervision.
- Report all accidents, injuries and illnesses promptly.
- Set a good example.
- Establish and maintain a good housekeeping program.
- Administer and train employees in proper use and care of personal protective equipment.
- Comply with the OSHA Act of 1973 and its amendments as an integral part of implementing the City of Minneapolis Occupational Health and Safety Policy.
- Develop safety recommendations for their work sites.
E. Employees
Employees are the most valuable asset of the City. Each individual is in the very best position to conduct his/her own personal safety program, which will impact not only on the individual but on others in his/her immediate work environment.
Therefore, each employee shall:
- Learn and observe all safety rules, regulations, and safe work practices prescribed by their department.
- Place safe work practices and identification of unsafe conditions as the highest priority while performing daily tasks.
- Obtain immediate first aid for every injury or illness, no matter how slight it may seem to be at the time.
- Report promptly and accurately to the supervisor all of the following:
- Injuries and job related illnesses regardless of how slight it may appear to be at the time.
- Hazardous or unsafe conditions or practices that exist in the workplace as well as throughout the municipality.
- Property damage caused by any accident which they become aware of involving City or private property.
- Incidents that could have resulted in an injury, illness, or property damage.
- Acts of other employees that are unsafe and hazardous to other employees.
- Defective equipment.
- Undertake only jobs they understand, are trained for and authorized to perform.
- Wear personal protective equipment provided by the department.
- Make safety suggestions to supervisors and safety committee.
- Operate only equipment for which training or orientation has been received.
- Warn co-workers of unsafe conditions or practices.
- Protect unsafe conditions resulting from municipal work that could present a hazard to the public.
- Take care not to abuse tools and equipment.
- Follow all loss prevention rules.
F. Risk Management
The Risk Management department has the responsibility to ensure enforcement of federal, state, and City safety standards and to provide advice, guidance and any such aid as may be needed in preventing accidents and occupational illnesses.
Therefore, the Risk Management department shall:
- Determine the current insurable value of all City owned real property.
- Conduct loss investigations to determine causes of property losses and recommend loss control measures.
- Establish procedures for and conduct periodic inspection of all physical properties, note unsafe conditions which need correction and develop written loss control recommendations.
- Review losses due to employee dishonesty and make recommendations to reduce those losses.
- Identify hazardous activities performed by all City Departments and Divisions which could lead to injury or illness of employees, and make loss control recommendations.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, ordinances or orders bearing on safety.
- Evaluate and approve the types of personal protective equipment required by law and/or needed for safe operating processes or procedures.
- Coordinate the purchase of personal protective equipment and other safety devices/instruments.
- Conduct appropriate Industrial Hygiene studies to identify hazards and exposures to City employees. Conduct Industrial Hygiene surveys as required by applicable federal standards where questionable and industrial health conditions arise.
- Attend safety meetings with all levels of supervision.
- Conduct investigations to determine causes of employment related illnesses and injuries and make loss control recommendations.
- Analyze accident data to determine causes and make loss control recommendations.
- Analyze and disseminate data concerning accident experience, recommending appropriate action where warranted by adverse trends.
- Assist in accident investigation and follow-up to determine cause and preventive action.
- Recommend safety rules and regulations.
- Conduct ongoing training programs.
- Coordinate development of safety and occupational health education materials for training of all levels of employees.
- Coordinate development and enforcement procedures of safe work rules and practices with all departments, management, and labor.
- Assist in administering all job safety training.
- Review and analyze current activities to determine potential sources of financial loss to third parties, and make loss control recommendations.
- Produce and file legally mandated reports.
- Prepare and keep statistical records of all accidents for study and prepare reports that will best show where emphasis is needed to eliminate these accidents and illnesses.
- Communicate with Minnesota OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
- Handle inquiries from City Managers, Supervisors, and employees and from other jurisdictions, and members of the public regarding miscellaneous Risk Management/Safety issues.
- Act in an advisory capacity to management on all safety matters.
- Advise the Mayor/City Council as well as department administrators, supervisors and employees of unsafe conditions, problems related to accident prevention and recommendations for loss control.
- Keep in touch with new developments in the field of Risk Management including accident prevention, industrial hygiene, personal protective equipment, first aid equipment and procedures so that effective program maintenance is obtained.
